It’s the 1st of July which can only mean one thing… the July mixtape is here!
This month’s is mostly an R&B affair but with the odd curveball thrown in…
Tag: MUNA
MUNA – The Loudspeaker EP Review
If the Pop world is clear on just one thing right now, it’s that nostalgia is 100% in. Old Pop hits have been recycled and re-worked into bouncy house tracks, Rick Astley has just flown into Number 1 in the UK album chart and a massive 80’s revival is underway in which contemporary artists attempt to mimic the magic and production of ’80’s hits. Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen, HAIM and The 1975 are just some of the artists to take the world by storm with catchy hooks which belong on the soundtracks of John Hughes movies. MUNA are the latest addition to this list.
A female trio based in LA, MUNA is comprised of Katie Gavin (lead vocals/production), Naomi McPherson (production/rhythm guitar/synths/vocals), and Josette Maskin (lead guitar/vocals). Their sound is that of dark Pop, echoing the likes of Fleetwood Mac and HAIM whilst maintaining a contemporary Pop sound through slick, electronic production. The band are the epitome of self-sufficiency, writing, producing and performing their own material which has so far been recorded in bedrooms.
‘The Loudspeaker EP’ is triumphant from start to finish, utilising catchy hooks, robust vocals, funky bass lines, gated percussion and reverberating guitar riffs to mimic the classic ’80’s sound. Opening track ‘Loudspeaker‘ launches the EP spectacularly with a buoyant energy. Lyrically, it explores darker themes of rape and oppression but in a fashion which empowers those affected. It’s a bold and brilliant track with a bass line which strays dangerously close to The 1975’s ‘Heart Out’ but it’s one which deserves far greater recognition.
The rest of the EP follows suit with elements of Stevie Nicks, Prince, Cyndi Lauper and INXS scattered throughout. ‘So Special‘ chronicles the narrator’s flaws and behaviour whilst ‘Winterbreak‘ conveys an icy quality which reflects its lyrical content and title.
Grand finale ‘Promise‘ is arguably the band’s second best track on which the narrator laments how her acts of passion have in fact pushed her lover aside as opposed to being perceived as acts of love. Its tinny guitar riffs reverberate infinitely into the spacey production whilst the hook brilliantly channels Tears for Fears in their heyday.
It’s a delicious yet intoxicating debut which leaves the listener eagerly anticipating future records.
A fearless introduction into the pop world.
Rating: 5/5
Highlights: ‘Loudspeaker’, ‘Promise’.
June Mixtape
Here’s the mixtape for June! 20 songs old and new that we’re loving at The Music Box.
Music Monday – Volume Ninety Five
1) All Saints – Fear
Gorgeous, eerie electro-ballad from All Saints’ comeback album. Distant twinkling pianos, tribal percussion and infinitely reverberating vocals all result in a very special, substantial ballad.
2) All Saints – Who Hurt Who
Another gorgeous ballad from the band’s comeback album, although this time it is a pure and raw piano ballad.
3) All Saints – Red Flag
R&B/Hip Hop elements all evolve into a quirky alt-R&B track with a brilliant chorus where giggling synthesisers and thunderous percussion soar.
4) Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop The Feeling
Utterly brilliant comeback single from JT. Piano chords and finger clicks evolve into a fantastically catchy disco-pop Summer smash. One of the best songs of 2016 so far.
5) Before You Exit – When I’m Gone
Moody and brooding with stuttering percussion, pitch-moderated glitchy vocal samples and crashing synths, resulting in an utterly brilliant Pop track.
6) The 1975 – A Change of Heart
Gentle 808 percussion, jittery synthesisers and monotone vocals result in this brilliantly frank yet emotional 80’s-influenced pop track. Clearly influenced by the likes of The Blue Nile and Madonna’s ‘Crazy For You’, it’s just brilliant, particularly during the breakdown on which Matt Healy sings She said “I’ve been so worried ’bout you lately, you look s**t and you smell a bit”. The intertextuality/references to the band’s previous works ‘Robbers’ and ‘The City’ are also incredibly clever.
7) Liss – Good Enough
Danish teenage band Liss are quickly taking the world by storm, largely propelled in the UK by being championed by Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac. Their music straddles various genres such as synthpop, alt-R&B and neo-soul, often with a very care-free tone. This track is no exception.
8) MUNA – Loudspeaker
Catchy Pop-Rock track with energising guitar riffs and a brilliant chorus.
9) Niki and The Dove – You Want The Sun
Great track with a very retro-vibe.
10) Mic Lowry – Saving All My Love
Smooth and soulful acoustic track by UK vocal group Mic Lowry. Perfect breezy harmonies carry this lovely track.
Music Monday – Volume Eighty Nine
1) Panic! At the Disco – Death of a Bachelor
Brilliant brass-infused tune which utilises a range of genres such as jazz, hip hop, EDM, trap and swing impeccably. Front-man Brendon Urie does his best imitation of Frank Sinatra amid hip hop beats, jittery synths and organic brass instruments.
2) The 1975 – Somebody Else
Powerful, emotive and raw song which lyrically tells of dealing with a past over moving onto somebody new. Gentle, tinkling synthesisers evolve into slamming ’80’s-influenced beats on this stunning love song. One of The 1975’s best ever songs.
3) Shura – Touch
Gentle and tentative synthpop track featuring fuzzy synths, pretty piano chords and ethereal vocals from Shura. Gorgeous.
4) Netsky ft Digital Farm Animals – Work It Out
Catchy EDM track with gospel vocals, fierce drum patterns and catchy piano riffs. Much in the same vein as Sigma’s ‘Nobody To Love’ two years ago in terms of repetition, catchiness and the use of piano riffs.
5) Gwen Stefani – Make Me Like You
Gwen Stefani resurrects her solo career with this catchy and funky disco-pop track. Chanelling The Cardigans’ ‘Lovefool’ and elements of Kylie, it’s one of Stefani’s best.
6) Zayn – It’s You
Gorgeous downtempo R&B ballad on which Zayn fully utilises his gorgeous feathery falsetto.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoB7c3miDrg
7) MUNA – Winterbreak
Dark electropop track featuring hollow beats, heavily processes vocals and gentle guitar riffs. Absolutely gorgeous.
8) All Tvvins – Unbelievable
Fierce electro-guitar track with a brilliant chorus and reverberating guitar riffs.
9) BJ The Chicago Kid & Kendrick Lamar – The New Cupid
Chilled out, retro inspired R&B/hiphop track with soulful guitar riffs and syrupy smooth vocals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heRre3KXLGY
10) The Knocks & Walk The Moon – Best for Last
Brilliant electronic infused track with catchy bass riffs and Nicholas Petricca’s smooth vocals.
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